In Kota Kinabalu, Koehler met with Lt. Gen. Dato Sri Tengku Muhammed Fauzi bin Tengku Ibrahim, Malaysian Armed Forces Joint Force Commander, and Mr. David Gamble, U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Malaysia, to discuss opportunities to expand maritime security cooperation, increase the complexity of combined training and exercises, and enhance coordination across maritime and air domains.
Koehler and Fauzi also participated in the closing ceremony for Pacific Partnership 2026 highlighting the accomplishments of the fourth stop of the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness mission in the region. Now in its 22nd iteration, Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security in the region, and foster and deepen new and enduring friendships in the region.
The visit to Malaysia reaffirmed the United States’ long-term commitment to peace, security, and prosperity in the region.
U.S. Pacific Fleet delivers combat-ready naval forces to defend the homeland and U.S. interests, provide credible deterrence, and strengthen U.S. alliances and partnerships to ensure a secure and prosperous region.
